Vinegar, water, razorblade and newspaper. Yep. Newspaper. I learned as a kid that it wipes better than anything. Doesn't streak and very little debris left behind. Just change it when it gets to saturated. Sometime it takes a little more elbow grease or a second application but it works well.

It depends on how strong of a smell you can take. Typically I do 50/50. I let it soak for a few minutes if its a tough stain. It allows the vinegar to do its work. The less you dilute the more I'd advise to be in a more ventilated area.

You may/may not need the vinegar. Depends on how the scale goes. Lots of the hard water mark will be limestone. That is alkaline so adding vinegar, which is a weak acid tends to cut and loosen the scale. With a razor blade scraper, you may not need the vinegar if you keep livestock who might suffer from just a bit of weak acid in the water. A good water change will also reduce the effect if some does drip into the tank.

Ditto on ditching the glass top. BUT... Take it off the tank, put paper towel on one side and soak in full strength vinegar. Let sit for a long time, even until the vinegar is almost dry. Wipe clean. Repeat on the other side if necessary. No scraping required!!!

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